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Guanajuato CityLong a rich gold and silver mining center, Guanajuato was decreed a city in 1741 by King Phillip V of Spain and is considered one of the loveliest colonial cities of the country and hemisphere. It was declared a "World Heritage Zone" by UNESCO in 1988 and holds a wealth of quaintness and attractions for the visitor. Guanajuato City lies in a crevassed ravine system surrounded largely by arid, rocky hills from which largely silver has been extracted for centuries. Under the city itself lies a web of tunnels which were built in the early 1900's by the townspeople to prevent flooding by the Guanajuato River and are now converted into underground thoroughfares, allowing motorists to avoid the narrow and twisting labyrinth of streets above ground, and providing a medieval-type air to the city. Colonial Mexico 2 Ed: A Guide to Historic Districts and Towns Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato - This baroque structure was built between 1671 and 1696 and houses the patron saint of the city. Templo de San Diego - Dates from the 18th C. with an extraordinary facade. Museo Regional Alhóndiga de Granaditas - Originally a granery, the museum now exhibits historical artifacts and documents from the Independence Movement. Tues.-Sat. 10am-1:30pm and 4pm-5:30pm; Sundays 10am-2:30pm. Jardín Unión - The town square and hub of the city, with kiosk for the concerts by the State band (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, 7 pm) Templo de la Compañía - Constructed from 1747 to 1765 with neoclassical dome. Ex-Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrerra - Now a museum showing 18th C. furniture and artwork, surrounded by fabulous gardens. Open Mon-Sun. 9am-6:30pm. Museo Iconografico - The Quijote Iconographic Museum shows works by Dali, Picasso, Rafael and others from the collection donated by Sr. Eulalio Ferrer. Open Tue-Sat. 10am-6pm; Sundays 10am-3pm. Mercado Hidalgo - Large town market offering arts & crafts, dating from the beginning of the 20th C. Museo de las Momias - The Mummy Museum is a display of bodies that were preserved because of the high mineral content of the soil in the local graveyard. Open daily 9am-6pm. La Valenciana Silver Mine - Still operating, the La Valenciana mine, between the late 1700's and early 1800's, produced most of Guanajuato's silver. Local FestivalsLate June/Early July: Fiestas de San Juan y Presa de la Olla, and the ceremony of the opening of the dam - Fiestas are held during the last days of June, leading up to the opening of the dam on the first Monday in July. Artistic and cultural festivities. Sept. 28: Día de la Toma de la Alhongida de Granaditas - parades celebrate the actions of the Independence hero "El Pipila" and the beginning of the overthrow of the Spanish October: Festival Internacional Cervantino - International Cervantes Festival - A well-known and attended cultural festival, with the participation of more than 35 countries. Held every October, includes theater, dance, music, opera, film and the arts in general. End of October/Beginning of November: Feria del Alfeñique - Fair featuring small and ingeniously elaborated figurines made out of sugar and highly decorated for the celebrations of All's Soul's Day and All Saint's Day at the beginning of November. Guanajuato Secretary of Tourism |
